As the world marks the anniversary of the Covid pandemic, I pause to reflect on the year that has transpired. Over and over again I have asked myself and others this simple question,

“What still matters?”

Staying connected and together despite the obstacles of social distancing, delving deeper into relationships with family and friends, renewing purposeful avenues of encouragement and inspiration. These still matter, these still define the borders of my days.

What still matters?

That we continue to walk into and through promising days, that we linger within and around astonishing love, and that we maintain hope for the dawning of each new day.

I wrote this last June when we resurfaced from weeks of shutdown and quarantining in our homes. I wanted to express my gratitude to God for His protection and guidance throughout the months of fear and uncertainty. It seems appropriate to place it here as a statement of a new beginning.

When the New Day Dawns

When the new day dawns I begin my reflection, as Your glory glides and settles over me, as Your protection promises and guides within me.

When the new day dawns I begin my reflection, responding to Your glory, refining my thoughts to express my love to You.

As I revel in your presence settling over and through me, I accept Your radiance, it surrounds and protects me.

Even as the words form, even as my praises rise up, I meet You here, in the dawning of this day.

I allow myself to be surpassed by Your glorious presence, to be enfolded from within by Your spirit of power.

I embrace this mighty determination not bounded by the ground of uncertain and fearful thoughts.

Words no longer stay silent, words no longer remain restrained, words simply pour through me forming and expressing adoration.

I begin my reflection, responding to Your glory as it glides and settles over me, as Your protection promises and guides within me.

When I called and cried out to You, You heard me. When I could not speak, when I searched for You, when I stumbled back and forth into the refuge of Your peace, even then

Your promise of protection offered deliverance.

Who am I that when I called, You came seeking me? Who am I that You saved and delivered me? Who am I that You long to bless and restore me?

Your refuge, Your peace, Your blessing.

As this new day dawns, I revel in it.

I gather my broken distorted crushed spirit and let the searing light of your refinement mold and fit me anew.

So, I begin to step into this new day.

This dawning of life restructuring and falling together,

 amidst social distancing, among creative masking, within boundaries and without controls, within respectfulness and without recklessness.

I exist within Your embrace, because You responded and sought me. Because You found and rescued me.

When the new day dawns I begin my reflection, responding to Your glory, refining my thoughts to express my love to You.

Not leaving the encampment of Your presence but revelling in it.

Taking note of the words that pour forth, over and through my lips to praise and gratefully acknowledge You.

You meet me as this new day dawns. My words no longer held back, no longer contained.

As this new day dawns, I begin my reflection, while Your glory glides and settles over me, surrounded by Your protection promises and your guidance within me.